As I stumble to the door, I notice the new car parked in the lot. Someone recently moved into the apartment next to mine, but I haven’t seen my new neighbors yet. I work weird hours, so I don’t expect to meet them at all. It’s not like I’m bringing over a plate of cookies anytime soon. It’s a single hallway with only two doors on either side of the elevator. The last guy who lived there got married and left...which is about as much as I could gather with our limited interaction.

All I can think about is the extra-strength aspirin and bourbon waiting for me on the kitchen counter. That and my warm bed.

Tomorrow is my mandatory day off so at least I can sleep a little longer...hopefully not forever with the way my head is pounding.

These lights in the elevator are fucking ridiculous. Why are they so bright?

I love my apartment, even though I know I could save a lot of money by living a little farther from the water. I grew up on Wickett—or Wicked as it’s been nicknamed over the years, but never with the sound of waves on my balcony. And I can afford it. So, why not?

When the elevator discards me on the fourth floor, I fish my keys out of my pocket just as the room starts swaying again. Fuck.

I’m just tired. That’s all.

The keys fumble out of my hand before I can even get them near the keyhole. Sonofabitch. I can only stare at them for a moment because I know reaching down will only make my skull pound louder.

The sound of the door next to me opening registers as I bend down slowly. I pause, halfway down and peek under my arm to see a young woman in light blue scrubs coming out of her apartment. Her back is to me as she yawns and locks the door.

My fingers brush the keys, making her jump and turn toward me. Quickly, I grab them and stand up, watching her face as it comes into view.

No fucking way.

I know I hit my head hard, but I didn’t hit it so hard that I’m now hallucinating, seeing a beautiful ghost from my past standing before me.

By the way she’s glaring at me like a deer in headlights, the feeling is mutual.

This can’t be happening. When did she come to Wicked? Why does she have to live right next to me? And where the fuck is that piece of shit brother of hers?

The moment stretches...as if seconds feel like hours. My vision starts to stretch too, and she becomes farther away, down a narrow tunnel, and I know I’m about to pass out.

“You’re bleeding,” she states before turning and disappearing into the elevator. Somehow I manage to keep together, and she’s gone before everything goes black.

Shelby

This can’t be happening. It really can’t.

On the short drive over to the Thomas house, where Mrs. Thomas has pulled out her IV again doing God only knows, my mind is reeling.